BY DANIEL CONTEH & JANUARIUS  ASONGU

The Sierra Leone Civil War (1991–2002) is a defining conflict of the modern era regarding the systematic use of child soldiers. While initial Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) programs provided critical immediate assistance, this article argues that the most severe burdens faced by former child soldiers (FCS) are the lingering, long-term psychosocial and economic consequences that transcend the acute post-conflict phase. Drawing upon the Developmental Trauma and Social Ecological frameworks, this analysis critically appraises four persistent domains of vulnerability: complex psychological trauma (including neurobiological alterations and moral injury), profound social stigma and community rejection that fractures identity, structural economic marginalization rooted in educational deprivation, and the intergenerational transmission of violence and trauma. This examination reveals that traditional short-term DDR models are inadequate for addressing these pervasive, chronic needs. We propose a holistic policy shift emphasizing sustained, community-based mental health support, restorative justice processes, and integrated vocational programs as essential components for transforming the persistent invisible scars of war into durable peace and recovery.